5 Free Meditation Apps in the UK for Students

Welcome to our blog on the 5 free meditation apps UK​ students must try out!

Being a student in the UK can feel overwhelming, with constant deadlines, exams, and pressures balancing studies and social life. That’s why taking care of your mental health is essential. Meditation is a simple, proven way to manage stress, boost focus, and improve overall well-being.

Luckily, there are several excellent free meditation apps available for UK students. These apps provide easy ways to relax, improve concentration, and reduce anxiety right from your smartphone in the comfort of your student accommodation.

You don’t need experience or lots of free time, just a few minutes a day can make a noticeable difference.

Phone with meditation apps

 

Benefits of Meditation for students

Meditation is a simple way for students to improve their mental health and wellbeing. It helps reduce stress and anxiety, which is essential when facing busy study schedules and exams.

Regular meditation can improve focus, helping you study better and manage your workload with less difficulty. It also boosts emotional health, giving you tools to cope when life feels overwhelming.

Taking just a few minutes each day to meditate can improve sleep quality, leaving you feeling more rested and energised. Plus, meditation teaches valuable mindfulness skills, helping you stay present and enjoy life more fully.

With regular practice, meditation becomes a powerful tool that supports both your mental health and academic success throughout your student journey.

Infographic with benefits of meditating

Free Meditation Apps in the UK​

Headspace

Headspace is a popular meditation app that’s perfect for students. It offers simple, guided meditations designed to help you deal with stress, anxiety, and busy student life.

The app includes short exercises that improve your focus, making studying and revising easier. If you’re struggling to concentrate or feeling stressed about exams, Headspace can guide you through relaxing techniques in just a few minutes a day.

It also has sessions aimed at improving sleep, so you wake up feeling refreshed and ready for class.

The best part is, UK students can use Headspace for free with their Spotify Premium Student subscription. Whether you’re new to meditation or looking for easy ways to relax, Headspace is a great choice.

Headspace meditation app on the phone

Calm

Calm is a meditation app that’s ideal for students who need quick and easy ways to relax. It provides short mindfulness exercises that help reduce stress, manage anxiety, and improve concentration.

These guided sessions fit perfectly into busy student schedules, whether between classes or before bed.

Calm also has special features like soothing sleep stories, which help you fall asleep faster and get better rest.

Good sleep means more energy and better focus for lectures and studying. The app is simple to use, even if you’re new to meditation.

Many exercises take just a few minutes, making them ideal during exam times. Calm helps students feel refreshed, calm, and focused, improving both academic performance and overall wellbeing.

The free version of this app has good options for those looking to get into meditation and the paid version starts at £39.99 , billed annually.

Person meditating using an app

Insight Timer

Insight Timer is one of the best free meditation apps UK​ students can easily access. It offers loads of guided meditation sessions, completely free to use.

Sessions are sorted clearly by topic, length, and purpose, making it simple to choose the right one for your schedule.

Whether you’re looking for a quick five-minute meditation between classes or a longer session to unwind after studying, Insight Timer has something for everyone.

It covers a wide variety of topics, including stress relief, better sleep, and managing anxiety.

As one of the leading free meditation apps UK​ students can use, it’s a convenient tool to support mental health and well-being during busy university life.

Student using free meditation app in UK

Smiling Mind

Smiling Mind is another great choice in our list of the best free meditation apps that UK students can use.

It’s specially made for young people, offering easy-to-follow mindfulness exercises. The app provides short, guided meditations that help reduce anxiety and improve focus, perfect for students dealing with exam pressure or tight deadlines.

Sessions are simple, fun, and easy to fit into busy daily routines, whether you’re studying, commuting, or preparing for exams.

With no cost at all, students can easily access helpful meditation tools anytime, anywhere. For students wanting a simple way to improve their mental health, Smiling Mind is an excellent choice.

Meditation apps on laptop and on phone

UCLA’S Mindful

UCLA Mindful is a free meditation app designed to help users improve focus, and feel more relaxed. Created by the UCLA Mindful Awareness Research Centre, this app offers guided meditation sessions that are easy to follow, making it perfect for beginners.

It includes short and long meditations, allowing users to fit mindfulness into their daily routine. The app also provides meditations in different languages, making it accessible to a wide audience.

Students can use UCLA Mindful to manage exam stress, improve sleep, and boost concentration.

Since it is completely free, it is a great option for anyone looking to practise mindfulness without spending money. Regular use of the app can lead to better mental well-being and focus.

Girl meditation on the couch

Meditation is a simple yet powerful tool that helps UK students enhance overall wellbeing. Using these free meditation apps, UK​ students can easily incorporate mindfulness into daily routines, especially during busy exam periods or demanding coursework.

Whether you prefer short mindfulness breaks between classes or relaxing meditations before bedtime, these apps offer flexibility, convenience, and personalised support.

Remember, mental health matters, and meditation can make a noticeable difference even with just a few minutes each day. Choose an app, start small, and see how mindfulness helps you feel calmer, happier, and more balanced at university.

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